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NEW POETICAL ESSAYS 






AUTHOR OP THE ENGLISH SONNETS ON SHAKESPEARE AND DANTE'S CENTENARY. 



-=s~SgC3$Sx§Sp*- 



TRIESTE 

1867. 

AUTHORSHIP AND COPYRIGHT RESERVED. 
KDIZIONE E PR0PK1ETA LETTERARIA DELL' AUTORE. 






COL RICORDO 
DELL' IMMORT ALE MAESTRO 



COMPIO 
I MIEI SONETTI INGLESI 

IN 

PROFONDA AMMIRAZIONE 

LI CONSACRO. 

I HbfH-y 
/o 

Trieste, 18G7. GIACOMO PINCHERLE. 



XLI. 

SONNET TO MEYERBEER 

Dome high Poets' genius into our times 

Transfused, meseems as chanting to thy notes, 
From Heaven shot them forth, unto all climes, 
True Art by thee was startled, on it dotes; 

For, thy philosopher's vers'd fancy chimes 
In the loftiest text; thy\ harp, too, denotes 
Thy soul, which, self-examen's love sublimes; 
Robert, the Prophet, th' African, Hughenots, 

Are superior numbers, so grand, so true, 

That the spirit God's, through them, I'll extol, 
Who did bless thy conceptions, and bedew 

The world, with deep as mellow airs that thrall 
The vulgar, Study task, all minds imbue, 
And cause Fame, thee Immortal to enrol. 



XLII. 

THE FIRMAMENT. 

lhat these surmised worlds, dotting our sky's face, 
Formed too a purposed mystical hand writ, 
Typed by the Most Wise, in thousandfold grace, 
To our souls' lecture, when on their exit? 

An angelic tongue of Heaven's preface 

To spell? were they grand charts of science lit, 
Th' index of Creation, bright and apace, 

— Which but yon diamond ciphers did fit — 
To <mide us in the unimaoined Land? 

The High Architect's own work on His all? 

— Glorious, unaccountable as the sand — 
Blessed Stars! I love your sight, but I must call 

Back my thoughts, lest, unbridled, they expand 
In too bold, wide figures for a mortal. 



XLIII. 

AERIAL NAVIGATION. 

When one will find the Balloons' direction, 
Birds'-like, to journey thro' the plains ot air, 
In all safety to make the ascension 
Uppermost the clouds, then — no more despair, 

Gross immorality and deception, 

With the vices to which our flesh is heir, 
Shall degrade our souls, for elevation 
Born; our very body shall much less care 

Materialism; raised by Zephir's flitter, 

It shall fondly breathe th'angelic current 

Of Earth's, aversed, good feelings : yon ether 

Will rarefy men's bile; improve thither 

Those dull or greedy minds, whose apparent 
Lite's scope is gold, their morals gold's glitter. 



XLIV. 

SORDIDNESS. 

Were man to live for ever, he might shut 
His heart or purse 'gainst noble impulses, 
And in the stress of discouragement put 
Him, whose talents want of aid convulses. 

Thus, the artist or author drive to glut 
His spleen on himself: what he indulges 
Into, grand or good's, se'ing unfriendly cut 
Off and slighted, this at length expulses 

His own offspring — science, study, transport, 
Reverence for Letters and the fine Arts, 
Turned fragile Fortune's, the egotists' sport, 

Might soon make of his mind a curst abort, 

Earth's a den — cheer up rich parts ! poor departs 
The miser hence; to him, a wretched sort! 



XLV. 

JEALOUSY IN A KIDDLE. 

1 think, that venom which home peace doth hlast 
Did push our fathers to maime so our fair: 
Foul Jealousy, that blinds man to despair, 
Now and then shows ns her grim face aghast. 

' Ladies are not to walk out for an air' 
An iron rule they obey, but fain cast 
On us a look — their doom tho' — does'nt long last, 
We oft find their fat corpse reeled from the chair 

Foul Jealousy! that to madness near blinds, 
Soon again shows us a ghastly grim face; 
Pursuing with fiery dragons and fiends. 

Foul Jealousy, thou night of stupid days, 

Be curst! blessed be the new liberal minds 
Who'll loose ladies from those prejudiced stays. 



XLVL 

COLUMBUS' STATUE 

(IN 186-2). 

At Genoa, thy monument still veiled 

I saw, like a risen Dead, the sea and rail 
Ecstatic pierce through, as thy Shadow hailed 
Our times, thy vile crews scorning at the sail, 

When they ingloriously almost compelled 

Thy glorious course to veer, thy hopes to fail: 
The voice of rapid Progress, not their yelled 
Threats, methought now to cheer thy shrouded frail 

Organism — of thy Lands air too long weaned, 
Which, with new life replenished, Tyrennus 
Would soon behold free, happily entwined 

To the Appenines — thy wide Seer's genius 

Yet, that sack'd gloom to light chose, as, thus screened, 
Thou weptest thy World's woes, gallant Columbus. 



— 6 — 
XLVII. 

LOYE'S SCRUPLES. 

iimdowed with traits of gaiety as sadness, 

Strangely shining thro' thy bright mournful eyes, 
Thy aspect seems, joint t'an air of stateness, 
Humour, and at same time sore love for sighs. 

Enamoured I'm of this rare harmony, 

Rigour with gentleness thy dark looks bid, 
That betray, out from thy physiognomy, 
Expressions of much pathos inside hid. 

Does not the tune, pathetic, ot thy voice 
Echo some disparaged feeling within 
Shut ? Love scrupled with doubt — this bane of joys. 

Queen by name and port ! will thou, then, entwin 
Unravelled, my affection, as no choice 
In me to leave than vow: Love's not a sin? 



XL vni. 
HOP E. 



As, in the thickest bushes revolving, 

Glowworms may guide the lover's heedless gait 
Across the path, where — the moon not shining, 
He's to meet his silvan fairy, her wait; 

When, too much gleed at the phosphoric bait 

They glare round his eyes, wearied with searching, 
In vain, the spot his sweet did assignate, 
His sanguine heart leaves off, awhile, sighing, 

And with false expectance wooed, as amour, 
Gratefully doting 'pon Nature's kind scope, 
Blind night itself to relieve from langour, 

He trusts 'fore his maid's steps glows like splendour — 
Thus, we illume our thoughts sometimes with Hope : 
Oft a glimpse, as transient as that ardour. 






— 7 — 
LXIX. 

MATR1M0NIALS. 

lo join loveliness with an earnest face, 
To look elegant and, yet, not be vain, 
To shine with beauty as with Virtue's rays, 
To instil love for Good, for ill disdain, 

To wit: to please and not one's fame disgrace, 
To feel for the old, helpless and sick's pain, 
To home or pity works spare hours restrain, 
To walk, in a few words, on honest ways, 

It is, forsooth, a due, fine quotation, 

When, bloated ladies or foppish young men, 
Seduced, seducers, dare throw derision 

Upon the faithful's sacred connexion, 

Sworn on the Altar, affirmed with the pen — 
An oath, oft apt, now, to profanation. 



LXX. 

A DISTRESSED WIFE. 

A lady by her husband deserted, 

And, resourceless, left in this vale of woes 
With some infants, did her wits — alas — lose : 
Life, Nature's laws she last night inverted. 

Alter having, herself, in vain exerted 
To him but the beasts' pity to infuse 
On their issue, when bread she heard 'em refuse, 
She a glass opened — no chance averted 

Her desperate fall — they found her a corpse, 

Mangled and smashed, the street's shocking bloodscene, 
Which might' ve been spared by a timely divorce. 

Now learn, husbands, from her husband's remorse, 
In your wife's distress with love t'intervene, 
Lest on you, like him, entail bad Cain's curse! 



LXXI. 

JERUSALEM. 

(PARAPHRASED FROM JEREMIAH). 

Mow robed with mournful weeds, how languid art 
Thou, as thou didst the loss of thy spouse pine, 
Judah's lion lies dismally supine 
On thy desert square, bustless is thy mart. 

Tho' thy exploits with History sha'nt part, 
And thy sacred soil with glory doth shine, 
'Spite being still all Nations' pious shrine, 
Earth's jewel once — heavy is yet thy heart. 

But is not God the high Ruler of Fate, 

Does He not o'er orphans and widows watch, 
Shall joy no more resound from Zion's gate? 

Can He find relish in thy long regret, 

Who shone on thee a beauty without match, 
Will He not thy ruins redress soon or late? 



LXXII. 

'TO MY MOTHER'. 

(MY TRANSLATION PROM HEINE'S SONNET). 

My custom is to raise my head, much high, 

My mind's sense does, also, somehow stand fast, 

Were the king himself on my face to eye, 

I would' nt, for it, my looks on the ground cast. 

Yet, mother dear, I must it notify, 

How so might'ly pride, too, my soul may blast, 
When to thy homely, blessed, sweetness I'm nigh, 
Me oft does a most servile fear contrast. 

Is it thy spirit stealth'ly me ruling, 

That high spirit which doth boldly pervade 
All, full of light, to Heaven's light soaring? 

Memory as stings me, that I have made 
So many an act thy heart displeasing, 
The fair heart, that to mine so much love bade ! 



— 9 — 
LXXUI. 

NO PETTY ANTAGONISM. 

TO 

During my stay at Paris — my sick heart, 
Rudely been tried by a domestic fate, 
Grievously I mourned in many lands' part — 
Had no friends with, its pains to mitigate; 

Oft slighted, forgot, as one did not rate 

Letters — except of Exchange — 'spite Print's art, 
Libraries' address, 'clerks-office' bought prate — 
Enough, if serious, work to all impart — 

No chance cheered me — till I met thee, good soul, 
Devoted in purest philantropy: 
Occupation to bid, tutors console. 

Rejoice in Heaven — Dean of Philology, 
Father to the linguist, as, thy kind call, 
Force of speech and mind — cleared Difficulty. 



LXXIV. 

BULL-FIGHTS IN SPAIN. 

Ijound, roar along, mad bull, with rageful gores. 
Till thy correodor thee outbreathes, 
Dash onwards rapidly, without remorse, 
Else the crowd thee and thy hunters hisses. 

Their gushing dire wounds are a jolly source 
Of sport and traffic, which but increases 
With the savage shouts of the rich and coarse, 
Ah! one driver's life suddenly ceases. 

Th'inflamed animal still more incited 
By the motley rabble's pitiless cries, 
Runs freshly flayed by men there round sited, 

Who at last, at their blood's price win the prize — . 
Should people, claiming to be enlightened, 
Indulge, whereto some man for some bull dies? 



— 10 — 
LXXV. 

LONDON. 

Ihe maze of Europe, in her magnitude, 
The standard for a person's liberty, 
A wat'ry plain for a quick multitude, 
Her river, her streets, show th'immensity 

Of splendour and good that exactitude, 
The Bible's lecture, one's rights' dignity, 
With a frank spirit, yield, in gratitude 
And harmony, to Arts and Industry. 

A Niniveh for men's utility, 

Not, one king's pride, or old rulers' caprice 
By dense walls restrained, frow'ned by battery; 

Next Peking in bulk, first in Charities, 

Her bridges link aid, wealth to poverty, 
And unmatched Beauties without artifice. 



LXXVI. 

PETRARC'S XLVIL 

(MY TRANSLATION). 

Jilessed be the day, the month, seas'n, time and year, 
The hour, the moment, the fair land and spot, 
Where I met with two lovely eyes, so dear, 
That my heart have entwined as with a knot. 

Blessed be, too, the sweet languishment felt near 

To Love's bonds first; the sore, although mild, lot 
With arrows hit to be, which could then spear 
And wound my very heart, from pathos hot. 

Blessed be the manifold accents I breathed 
Calling the name of my Lady aloud, 
My tears, my sighs, the fond desires she raised. 

And blessed be all page wherein I impressed 

The fame I proclaim her: my thoughts, much proud 
To be hers alone, hers — for none so blessed. . 



— 11 — 

LXXVII. 

S T E N D. 

A fishermen's spot — as well of fashion, 

Quaint, elegant, dull and yet much lively. 

Once, about, noon, at the tide's progression, 

Fair bathers, I there saw jut out tiny 
Boxes' - o dear mayflies — and immersion 

Undergo in silk costumes much tidy; 

Those motley nimphs long drew my attention, 

As pale patients, Tourists, in busy 
Merriment, thronged over the parterre 

Wall of the Casino adjacent, stand 

Shouting, when by the waves hid those appear 
Soon afloat, their hair in a ruffled gear; 

At night, still more romantic that white strand 

By iris seas lashed to view, and to. hear. 



LXXVIII. 

A RIDDLE, 

1 am lifeless, and, yet, am full of life; 

Almost valueless, still very much worth.; 

I but man serve — tho', am blest by his wife, 

For, if I leave him, I'll prove her a curse. 

I am so kind, that all with great care nurse 
Me and lull; sheltered, I am from all strife 
Of hail and air, and still move with it forth. 
My sole dread is the South, or an edged knife, 

Poignard and similar arms, whom my back 
1 rudely turn to. For loving one far 
Being born, whose dwelling I cannot well track, 

To all officious, I never do lack 

Attention to my duty — my strange star 

Though, is him, unknown, to love, with love's quake. 



— 12 — 
LXXIX. 

TO 

baviour those tribes' once yoked by barbarians — 
Jerusalem, Damascus, Mogador, 
Russia, thro' stormy seas, at vast distance, 
Mounts'ices, wastes' scorching heats, Your indoor 

Metropolitan comfort and radiance, 

Obscured oft and marred with the gloom of sore 
News of wrongs, felt at Courts or civilians' — 
Then Your Lady and You all left to pour 

Excited with a zeal divine, relief, 

Fortitude and hope unto theirs distress: 
Imparting fresh life in Man-kind's belief. 

O true Philantrope, as Lady Judith, 

Reap Conscience's sweet fruits below for long days, 
Eternal Her to view, by all souls' Chief. 



LXXX 

LOYE IS ARISTOCRATIC. 

Jjove to be true love, must have a knowledge 
Of what is required to embellish life; 
For, brutes also love, but in the bondage 
Of instinct, instead of a godly strife 

For purer feelings — their love is savage. 

Beware of those whose notions are: man, wife, 
Alone love eachother, else 's dotage — 
The dull youths may grow purently rife. 

A soaring mind must as control our frame, 
And not level it with a material state; 
Apparent sentiment — mere stratagem, 

May one draw to it, the heart to satiate 
Finding it a worm in lieu of a gem, 
Best's to forego — Love must nobilitate. 



— 13 — 
LXXXI. 

ON MY DEAR NEPHEW'S DEMISE. 

Death's smile' is not a hyperbolic voice 
For noting the courage of resigned souls, 
I have seen it — alas — his face rejoice 
With a content air my heart still recalls. 

So mild, benignant on his lips, as his choice 

Friendly heart, th'angels had sought, Heaven's halls 

To enter in their union: such envoys 

His goodness behoved; in the long suffring 

He patiently bore, he guessed good mother, 
Family's, friends' vow, who much endearing 
Him. prayed, he had his state been ignoring, 
He would smile then to one and to other 
T'ease their grief — so Heaven eased him when dying. 
May such traits be all upright men's closer! 



LXXXII. 

TO MESMER. 

Uood minister of Health — from Heaven us sent, 

To reveal the sixth sense of unseen soul, 

Glory thou reapedst but alive — thy life spent, 

Fellst in oblivion — the reverse of all 
Eminents spirits — no bust in the hall 

Of thy great landsmen raised to thy talent — 

Wise Newton argued a fluid mutual, 

Thou, foundst it — though no City 's more intent 
To adopt thy doctrines, and benefit 

Mankind with thy resources of Nature. 

Why so? perchance in our quick days to sit, 
Few like, by sick men long, in fix'd posture, 

Soul and body devoted to emit 

Life — but, thy fame lies, meanwhile, with Future. 



— 14 — 
LXXX1II. 

POLA'S ANTIQUITIES. 

1 walked round the Theat'r of the Romans, 
Facing an adequate grandeur : the Bay, 
I passed under the Arch of the Sergians, 
And Augustus' Temple, grown not the prey 

Of gnawing age 1 entered. Shall then clay 

Outlive clay! — I mused— Titus or Hadrian's, 
That Cesar's proud frame, was doomed to decay 
As mortals', still, their piles, like the Chaldeans' 

Strives, in Egypt tempered, rear defiant 
Their front, in mockery of destruction, 
While none but such marks on Earth are remnant 

Of their use to mankind and progression? 

My soul turn'd vandal, and with ire pregnant 
It chid time — then, praised Civilization. 



LXXXTV. 

A KIDDLE. 

1 ve been a moral sunshine reflecting 

The Word unto mankind's darkly veiled eye, 

I've, come for a new Power erecting 

That Good, Truth should reveal, and ill descry. 

My ripe days have been humbly projecting 
The good of all men ; I did then untie 
The chains, free will and reason affecting, 
I impressively spread the Slave's outcry. 

I first, bade the world the Good's tiding, 
\A Shepherd' I called by, me to assist; 
Persecuted, we set in our hiding, 

A new rule, that did outshine all writing 

The past has enscrolled. — My name you may list/ 
Upon a 'fair mount:' Wrongs, Abuse endicting. ' 



— 15 — 
LXXXV. 

IDEALISM CURES JEALOUSY. 

And thy heart flatters thee it is endeared, 

By her, whom I loved because she loved me; 
Tho' from her lips my name is long arreared, 
It is still foremost in her memory. 

— Why should it not? since, spite mine being seared, 
Its wounds yet ache, at her sight, sensibily, 
Are her own indeed, so well scarred and healed, 
Not to think hers too shall then aching be? — 

And thou wilt give her a ring, espouse her, 
Whilst an invisible ring doth connect us: 
Her hand '11 pertain thee — her soul will hover 

Around mine — dost thou find it so glorious 
To -be deemed an owner, not a lover? 
But — rule in peace, thou makest not me jealous. 



LXXXVI. 

COLOSSAL STATUE OF THE NILE 

(IN THE VATICAN'S GALLERY — MY TRANSLATION FROM M. MISSIRINI'S). 

Tertile River, from ancient majesty 

So proud, as alarm to all souls inspire, 
From the dire slaughter of Thebe and Palmire 
How thee the Gods rescued propitiously. 

Say, where's now Sesostri's race and Ptolomy, 
Where the Egyptian's grandeur, of the Assire ? 
The dumb horror of the pale Dead's retire 
Haunts about their arches' dust and trophy. 

Voracious years, a furious armed folk 

All upset; the Scyth in his mad fierceness 
Oppresses Asia with a savage yoke; 

Thou, yet, standest fast, and th' immense wickedness 
Of Time canst affront, nay even provoke — 
Since — but the High one works' days are endless. 



— 16 — 

lxxxvii. 
A RIDDLE. 

I am a woman, a great one indeed, 

I'm open-minded, if stiff is my heart, 

So that in my brains one may lightly read: 

My love is vowed but to Science and Art. 

O'er these I preside, yet 1 e'er agreed 

To yield, a while, the presidency's part; 
Those entering into my views, 1 lead 
Myself to; then, my face off them I start. 

They call me beauteous, but am too much shy, 
And no lips can boast of having kissed me; 
Courted by Artists who at my feet lie, 

] but them smile with a chaste upright glee, 
Or urge them mounting up my hall, to vie 
With wreathed merit, my glorious soil to see. 



Lxxxvrn. 
A RIDDLE. 

1 m a true riddle, none did unravel, 

Please, ask it to the learned historian, 

I but know " our old came from a travel 

Afar „ no books with us, no grammarian. 

Hear, for " goodbye „ in our language " devel „ 
I say, apparently a barbarian, 
Devil-like sound, yet, 'tis on the level 
With the most polished new Perso-iran! 

By " Trash devlister, kehr tshatshd, ma trash, „ 
1 mean : fear God, do right, nobody shun — 
A hint, that to approach me does'nt abash. 

But the White did hunt me, rack me, and lash; 
Shunned as idle, dirty, town's thief, I run 
Bewildered the world, its freest son — alas! 



17 



THE PSALM I. 

(IN THE GIPSIES - TONGUE: A BKANCH OF THE HINDOSTANEE AND SANSKRIT.) 

1 . iJachtelo o manusch ke na dshala pal o patscheppen micl- 
sheskeri gadsche, nani atschela job an o grechengheri 
trom, nani pes beschela an o prasaweskeri stammin. — 
2. Vai, leskero sharoppen hi an o Develeskero penap- 
pen, te andri lesde pennappen job dikkela pral o diwes 
te i ratt. — 3. Job vela ssir jek ruk tshivdo pash o 
nashepaskeri panim, ke annela wri pes bershereskero 
pabui ; ninna pes senneli patrinja ma tshukkovela, te 
shallauter job kerela adoleste dela but bacht. — 4. Na 
dala i midsho gadsche, vai, jon hi ssir o churdin tshi- 
vavdo pashal i parwul. — . r >. Doleske, i midsho gadsche 
na steijen tardo ane grisni, nani i grechengheri romni- 
tschel andri o tshatshopaskero ker. — 6. Ghe, u Rai 
dshanela o midshto romeskeri trom: vai, o midsho- 

pengiieri trom merela. (Translated by James Pincherle.) 



LXXXIX. 

FOR THE PARIS EXHIBITION. 

(INSCRIBED WITH HIS MOST ESTEEMED PROFESSOR AND FRIEND C. F. FITZ-GIBBON ESQ.) 

i)iit a vision. — To Paris invited, 

Round a table, lay sitting all the Sires, 
Chiefs, Minsters of the world, who concerted 
In mutual good faith, that, what man aspires 

To — Peace, at last proved so ; then they lighted 
From the Tuilleries electric bonfires, 
Which, to all Earth reconciled, emitted 
Vivid sparks of joy, thro' the despatchs' wires. 

And night was transformed as in a sunshine. 
Bells melodiously pealed a tuned motive, 
Man embraced man, for, men from men to pine 

Ceased. Some wreathed Shadows, plain clad, with olive 
Branches at their breasts and hands, did incline 
And shout: Temple of Reas'n! we. too, are votive. 



— 18 — 
XC. 

A PORTRAIT. 

lliy fair visage, in earnestness suprised, 

Minerva to my fancy represents, 

My poetry in thee has realised 

The classic fine Museums ornaments. 
Thy profuse hair commandingly impends, 

Helmet-like blent, from thy serene brow; seized 

Is my Muse with awe, my heart to thee bends; 

And when thy eye meets mine — my soul feels eased. 
Thy pearled mouth in a smiling attitude 

Caught, thee transforms in dear jovial Cybele, 

A smile, full of grace and beatitude. 
Thy pure lips or hands when air have imbued 

With thy notes, show thee the charming Sybil: 

Wise, chaste, to whom for love Apollo sued. . 



xcr. 
FORBEARANCE. 

1 was one fine summer day at Hietzing, 
With a dear Family at D. 's Garden 
Dining, when, all chairs taken, no sitting 
Could an old Comer find, like a warden 

Of night, quaintly dressed; him friendly greeting, 
Yet, our lady her sons bade, as said 'pard'n' 
He sat on our vacant place, and talking 
Begun of his health, which, meseemed to hard'n, 

A droll five lapped coat he wore; then snuffing 
Offered our party round from a queer box, 
To set ten thousand nostrils a- sneezing, 

A pinch all deign'd tho', no practical jokes 

Were tricked him the while, no outright laughing 
At, him, envenomed his half-pint of bock's. 



— 19 — 
XCII. 

A RIDDLE. 

1 was born in a meek swarthy cottage 

To reside in the wealthiest house on Earth; 
Was it a mere freak of Fortune's dotage, 
Or did God destine me to be of worth 

And use to all Mankind ? — not, for savage, 
Idiots' gripe of possession I'm sprung forth 
To mount, surely, so high — but, the salvage 
Of some wronged people — a soiu-ce in his dearth 

To be, and justice him done of all claim — 
Fearlessly, because of my pow'r; loudly, 
For, God aided me: yes, my very name 

Imports it — against abuse, peacefully 

To fight and spoliation, 1 on Earth came — 
The needy, distressed, to 'shield vividly'. 



XCIII. 

TO THEATRICALS. 

(A KIDDLE). 

1 am hid, albeit I may oft'n be seen, 

I'm lazy and quick — touch me if you dare, 
From the poor man's door to that of the Queen 
No difference I make. Vanity fair 

I abhor, as she abhors me; between 

Me and maids at toilet, dressing their hair, 

There is enmity, chiefly on the scene 

Or stage — their contempt can blaze my despair. 

Well, since I'm furious when so neglected, 
If I'm even cruel when much caressed, 
My whims or rules should be more respected. 

Have I not a change in towns effected, 

Is not bright Progress, too, thro' me expressed? 
In 'Lachaise' a shrine to me's erected. 



20 



XCIV. 

THE ECLIPSE. 

(MY TRANSLATION FROM D.r GAZZOLETTI'S SONNET TO A CONVALESCENT LADY). 

ihe sun we saw rise majestic and high, 
And the turmoil of Nature too revive, 
Then suddenly the morn grow dim and shy, 
A foul impure spot his rays of deprive. 

And a chilled air, a sick light near to die 

Did o'er the dismal plain waive; birds captive 
Dropt — when, torn is thai veil, lucid the skie 
Shines anew — all cheers his tone reactive. 

Thus first we saw thee by deadly illness 

Caught o woman; then, from Death's grasp wrested, 
To show a more blooming, more joyous face. 

' Oh, all what light or life has sure suffers', 

Said we first, soon after: 'the smile rescued 

From pain charms, as does the Sun from darkness'. 



xcv. 
A RIDDLE 






J, like the elephant, live in the wood, 

He stands on four, I stand even on three ; 

I'm very tame, but if one e'er strikes me 

Too much, rough I grow or in a strange mood. 

I keep a strict diet, my only food 
Is exercise, air; I'm fond of a key 
And other metals' — that's my vanity, 
Masters have'nt you yet my wants understood? 

My mouth is not narrow, yet, polished much, 
It did never did swallow any one's hand; 
Mind me, when you take me by seas or land, 

Gently I like to lie down, ne'er to crouch, 

Else from your service, pray, do me disband; 
Let but those touch me, who know how to touch. 



— 21 — 
XCVI. 

TO SIGNOB 

Urand son of Italy's harmonic Muse, 

Oh, how on thee she beamed her lordliness! 
The voice of Heaven, so blest, she would infuse, 
T:hrough notes that vibrate — and sound all sweetness ; 

As in H o 1 o p h e r n e s, whose ireful abuse 

Lawful near seems : thus, touches thy tongue's stress ; 
Dropped might' ve each arm, courage fail to, refuse 
In Judith's heart, if heard thy song's prowess. 

Great, unmatched, Artist in this tragic part, 
Heroically performed by thy dear mate, 
In their turn the Graces will us, then, start 

Enraptured with thy mimicks and gay prate 
Re-echoed from Seville — joy to impart 
In our souls — which thy voice does fascinate. 



xcvu. 

A E I D D L E. 

1 am oblong, round, square, massive or thin, 
Not often noisy, my speech is genteel; 
Though whispering I go on a good deal, 
People ain't annoyed; for, it is not a din 

Like my eldest brothers, whose haughty will 
Is proclaimed aloud, on all forced and seen. 
During the day my duty I fulfill 
As at night; from pomp aye afar and sheen. 

By some my hands are loved, by some hated, 

Yet mine are the harmlest hands of the globe: 
Straightforward I am, therefore much rated; 

In my life I can't be associated 

With violent men, should they dare to rob 
Me, my hands relax — t'be vindicated. 



— 22 — 
XCVIII. 

THE SUEZ CANAL. 

When Lesseps' great works will attain their end, 

And through the Isthm be, long, steamed the passage, 
How marvellous would sound, once, a Message 
From Europe, Atrica, Asia, to blend 

With Australia, America, and send 
Israel, across that Pharao's rivage, 
With love, back to his Land, as the presage 
Of his Scriptures: if, scattered, held amend. 

So then, a most glorious, most solemn Day, 
Which, ne poverty, wealth, nor martyrdom, 
Could waive from its believers yet away. 

And by those times who shall e'er tell what may 

Still spring from that Isthm. b'sides the Jews' kingdom 
Restored — th' East repolished? — th'endto men's fray? 



xcix. 
CLEMENCY. 

Ihis divine gift, is masterly expressed 

To him who may visit St. Anna's tombs. 

The stern Angel, charged with the Mortals' dooms, 

Weighing their sins, should hold the sword upraised, 

Soon to chastise. Grace smiles — although — impressed 
On yon Seraph's lines — the thought to smite glooms 
That piteous soul awhile — Remission looms 
From Heav'n, the sword's lower'd, the grasp repressed. 

Composedly shining with what implored, 

On his grave face one sees Forgiveness blest, 
Compassion earth's frailty — Mercy accord. 

Capolino, a Sculptor much deplored, 

Scholar of Rome — an honour to Trieste, 
This fair granite worked: it is his record. 



— 23 — 

C. 

A CONCLUDING PRAYER. 

Father of Light! — light of the Mind and Earth, 
Do not bereave me of yon supreme care, 
If worth obscurity, let friends', love's dearth 
Waste my life, ere my sight dim or impair. 

Father of Light! do grant my eyes the mirth 

Nature's joy t' enjoy; my days thro', them spare, 
The rich lustre that Good with Beauty girdth 
Around thy Creation's creatures to share. 

Father of Light! who wouldst gaudily bind 
Atoms with hues, in fairest harmony, 
On the rainbow, to the fly worm, designed, 

Thanks to Thee, for Thy daily rays destined 
To our sight; 0, may Thy luminary 
Of Truth, too, prevail :(JLmay none grow blind ! 



SONETTO XYII DI SHAKESPEARE. 

(VERSIONE DI iJIACOMO PDJCHERLE). 

vhi al verso mio creder potra in futuro 
Se degli alti tuoi pregi e ancor ripieno? 
Mentre, il Cielo lo sa, che fcutto e oscuro 
Sull'ente tuo, che, i piu li cela in seno. 

Se dello sguarclo tuo dicessi il pure 

Di, e noverassi de' tuoi vezzi il treno — 
a II poeta, dirien, mente sicuro 
" Mai cosi il Ciel plasmo viso terreno „ 

Ed i miei scritti, dall'etacle rosi, 

Qual ciancie piu che verita, schiffati, 
1 veri merti tuoi, sol versi irosi 

D'un sdolcinato antico suon nomati: 
Come riescirebber deliziosi 
Se fossero da te rianimati. 






IITDEX. 



SONNET PAGE 

LXI To Meyerbeer 3 

LXII The Firmament „ 

LXIII Aerial Navigation 4 

LXIV Sordidness „ 

LXV (A Riddle) A Chinese maid-servant 5 

LXVI Columbus' statue , 

LXVII Love's scruples 6 

LXV1II Hope 

LXIX Matrimonials 7 

LXX A distressed wife „ 

LXXI Jerusalem 8 

LXX1I Heine's Sonnet I, translated . . „ 

LXX III (Acrostic) No petty Antagonism 9 

LXXIV Bull-fights in Spain „ 

LXXV London 10 

LXXVI Petraro's Sonnet XL VII, translated „ 

LXXVII Ostend 11 

LXXVIII (A Riddle) The Mariner's compass „ 

LXXIX Acrostic L2 

LXXX Love is aristocratic „ 

LXXXI 'Death's smile' (on my dear Nephew's demise) 13 

LXXXII To Mesmer 

LXXX1II Pola's Antiquities 1-4 

LXXXIV (A Kiddle) Guttemberg and Schaeffer „ 

LXXXV Idealism cures Jealousy 15 

LXXXVI Colossal statue of the Nile in Rome; Missirini's sonnet translated „ 

LXXX VII (A Riddle) The colossal statue "Bavaria, in Munich l(i 

LXXXVIII (A Riddle) The Gipsy; with annexed specimen of his language, „ 

by the author. 17 

LXXXIX For the Paris Exhibition „ 

XC A portrait .... 18 

XCI Forbearance „ 

XCII (A Riddle) The House Rothschild 19 

XCIII (A Riddle) Gaz-Light 

XCIV The Eclipse, Dr. Gazzoletti's Sonnet translated 20 

XCV (A Riddle) Pianoforte .' . „ 

XCVI (Acrostic) To Signor Gottardo Aldighieri 21 

XCV1I (A Riddle) A pocket-watch 

XCVIII The Suez Canal 22 

XCIX Clemency ., „ 

C A concluding Prayer 23 

Sonetto XVII di Shakespeare, traduzione dell'autore „ 



Trieste 1867. — Printed by the Auet. Lloyd's. 
Ptoprlc-ta ed Edialone dell'Autore : James Plncherle'a Authorlnhlp and Copyright i 



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